Bad Hair Days

You may be prepared for a body in flux post-pregnancy, but did you know that hair loss is also part of the postpartum experience? Here's what to expect:

WHEN IT STARTS: Two to four months after you give birth.

WHEN IT STOPS: Three to six weeks after the initial onset.

WHY IT HAPPENS: In most non-pregnant people, up to 10 percent of hair follicles are in the resting phase, or not producing hair, at any given time. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, such as a boost in estrogen, drastically reduce these rest periods (essentially extenging the growth cycles), giving moms-to-be lush, full hair because fewer strands are falling out.

(Additionally, when estrogen is high, androgen — the male hormone that causes oil production — is low, so your hair feels drier. Hydrate your locks with a deep moisturizing conditioner twice a week.)

When estrogen drops post-pregnancy, the rest mode kicks into overdrive, causing up to 30 percent of the follicles to not produce hair, when hair falls out, it takes longer to replace.